The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and associated sciatic nerve symptoms was denied. The RO found that the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher than 40 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, characterized by DJD, bilateral sciatica, and myalgia of the left foot, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on more severe symptoms or functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine, sciatic root syndrome, myalgia of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 13, 2009
- Citation
- 0943223
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0943223.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous opinion and issues regarding the significance of the Veteran's limp or altered gait. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his low back disability, which he claims was caused by his service-connected left lower extremity shell fragment wound residuals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cervical and lumbosacral spine issues are remanded due to inadequate opinions.
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